How To Study For An Exam Essays

Political Science/JSIS/LSJ Writing Center Tools for TAs and Instructors

Tips for Writing Essay Exams

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Before the Exam: Prepare and Practice

Writing a good essay requires synthesis of material that cannot be done in the 20-30 minutes you have during the exam. In the days before the exam, you should:

Anticipate test questions. Look at the question from the last exam. Did the question ask you to apply a theory to historical or contemporary events? Did you have to compare/contrast theories? Did you have to prove an argument? Imagine yourself in the role of the instructor--what did the instructor emphasize? What are the big ideas in the course?

Practice writing. You may decide to write a summary of each theory you have been discussing, or a short description of the historical or contemporary events you've been studying. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and understanding the differences between the theories.

Memorize key events, facts, and names. You will have to support your argument with evidence, and this may involve memorizing some key events, or the names of theorists, etc.

Organize your ideas. Knowledge of the subject matter is only part of the preparation process. You need to spend some time thinking about how to organize your ideas. Let's say the question asks you to compare and contrast what regime theory and hegemonic stability theory would predict about post-cold war nuclear proliferation. The key components of an answer to this question must include:

A definition of the theories

A brief description of the issue

A comparison of the two theories' predictions

A clear and logical contrasting of the theories (noting how and why they are different)

In the exam

Many students start writing furiously after scanning the essay question. Do not do this! Instead, try the following:

Perform a "memory dump." Write down all the information you have had to memorize for the exam in note form.

Read the questions and instructions carefully. Read over all the questions on the exam. If you simply answer each question as you encounter it, you may give certain information or evidence to one question that is more suitable for another. Be sure to identify all parts of the question.

Formulate a thesis that answers the question. You can use the wording from the question. There is not time for an elaborate introduction, but be sure to introduce the topic, your argument, and how you will support your thesis (do this in your first paragraph).

Organize your supporting points. Before you proceed with the body of the essay, write an outline that summarizes your main supporting points. Check to make sure you are answering all parts of the question. Coherent organization is one of the most important characteristics of a good essay.

Make a persuasive argument. Most essays in political science ask you to make some kind of argument. While there are no right answers, there are more and less persuasive answers. What makes an argument persuasive?

A clear point that is being argued (a thesis)

Sufficient evidenct to support that thesis

Logical progression of ideas throughout the essay

Review your essay. Take a few minutes to re-read your essay. Correct grammatical mistakes, check to see that you have answered all parts of the question.

Things to Avoid

Essay exams can be stressful. You may draw a blank, run out of time, or find that you neglected an important part of the course in studying for the test. Of course, good preparation and time management can help you avoid these negative experiences. Some things to keep in mind as you write your essay include the following:

Avoid excuses. Don't write at the end that you ran out of time, or did not have time to study because you were sick. Make an appointment with your TA to discuss these things after the exam.

Don't "pad" your answer. Instructors are usually quite adept at detecting student bluffing. They give no credit for elaboration of the obvious. If you are stuck, you can elaborate on what you do know, as long as it relates to the question.

Avoid the "kitchen sink" approach. Many students simply write down everything they know about a particular topic, without relating the information to the question. Everything you include in your answer should help to answer the question and support your thesis. You need to show how/why the information is relevant -- don't leave it up to your instructor to figure this out!

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Essay exams test you on “the big picture”- relationships between major concepts and themes in the course. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare for and write these exams.

Exam preparation

Learn the material with the exam format in mind

Find out as much information as possible about the exam – e.g., whether there will be choice – and guide your studying accordingly.

Review the material frequently to maintain a good grasp of the content.

Think, and make notes or concept maps, about relationships between themes, ideas and patterns that recur through the course. See the guide Listening & Note-taking and Learning & Studying for information on concept mapping.

Practice your critical and analytical skills as you review.

Compare/contrast and think about what you agree and disagree with, and why.

Focus your studying by finding and anticipating questions

Find sample questions in the textbook or on previous exams, study guides, or online sources.

Anticipate questions by:

Looking for patterns of questions in any tests you have already written in the course;

Looking at the course outline for major themes;

Checking your notes for what the professor has emphasized in class;

Asking yourself what kind of questions you would ask if you were the professor;

Brainstorming questions with a study group.

Formulate outline or concept map answers to your sample questions.

Organize supporting evidence logically around a central argument.

Memorize your outlines or key points.

A couple of days before the exam, practice writing answers to questions under timed conditions.

If the Professor distributes questions in advance

Make sure you have thought through each question and have at least an outline answer for each.

Unless the professor has instructed you to work alone, divide the questions among a few people, with each responsible for a full answer to one or more questions. Review, think about, and supplement answers composed by other people.

Follow a writing process

Use the first 1/10 to 1/5 of time for a question to make an outline or concept map.

Organize the plan around a central thesis statement.

Order your subtopics as logically as possible, making for easier transitions in the essay.

To avoid going off topic, stick to the outline as you write.

Hand in the outline. Some professors or TAs may give marks for material written on it.

Write the essay quickly, using clear, concise sentences.

Maintain a clear essay structure to make it easier for the professor or TA to mark:

A 1-2 sentence introduction, including a clear thesis statement and a preview of the points.

Include key words from the question in your thesis statement.

Body paragraph each containing one main idea, with a topic sentence linking back to the thesis statement, and transition words (e.g.: although, however) between paragraphs.

A short summary as a conclusion, if you have time.

If it is easier, leave a space for the introduction and write the body first.

Address issues of spelling, grammar, mechanics, and wording only after drafting the essay.

As you write, leave space for corrections/additional points by double-spacing.

Review the essay to make sure its content matches your thesis statement. If not, change the thesis.

For For more information on exam preparation and writing strategies, see our “Exams” pages.

Some suggestions in this handout were adapted from “Fastfacts – Short-Answer and Essay Exams” on the University of Guelph Library web site; “Resources – Exam Strategies” on the St. Francis Xavier University Writing Centre web site; and “Writing Tips – In-Class Essay Exams” and “Writing Tips – Standardized Test Essay Exams” on the Center for Writing Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign web site